Kings of Carrick

138 THE KINGS OF CARRICK.
among the trees. Thought of danger there was none. A
traitor in the camp was never dreamt of ; and yet Mure of
Auchendrane knew exactly when the Countess was to leave
Galloway and undertake her return journey to her home by
the banks of the Doon.
Unfortunately, want of suspicion does not imply that there
is no danger. Every step homewards was a step into hazard,
as the Master of Cassillis and his party were about to realise ;
for, as they rode on, they suddenly found the road blocked.
Hardly had they discovered the barrier than there was a
sudden rush of men ; behind them and before, they emerged
from the solitude of the plantation above ; and in less time
than it takes to tell it, Bargany himself came to the front of
his men and ordered the travellers to halt.
To say that they were surprised is to state a necessity of
the situation. The Countess was more than surprised — she
was alarmed to a degree, and she shrank back as she observed
Bargany, sword in hand, backed by a strong force of his
retainers ; heard him command a halt ; and realised that
behind her, as well as in front, there were angry fellows in
the way. The Master of Cassillis was surprised, but not
daunted nor dismayed, and he indignantly demanded —
" What means this, Bargany ?"
" It means that you are my prisoners," was the reply.
" Beware, Bargany, what you are going to do. We are
travelling on the King's highway ; here we must pass without
let or hindrance ; and if you interfere with us, on your head
be the consequences.
" I am willing to take the consequences," replied Bargany ;
" it is not the first time that the Earl of Cassillis has stopped
a Kennedy of Bargany on the King's highway. I am doing
nothing more than your brother did to my brother a year
ago on the way from Ayr to Maybole."
" The Earl of Cassillis," responded the Master, " never
made war upon women. We are here as the escort to